Fuel Blends up to E30 Standards to Reduce Crude Oil Imports

Exam-focused facts from the 21 May 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The government notified new standards for higher ethanol-petrol blends, specifically E22, E25, E27, and E30, to enable blending beyond the current 20% level.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published the specifications on May 15 for fuel blends created by mixing anhydrous ethanol with motor gasoline for petrol-powered vehicles.
The petroleum ministry has tasked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to conduct a detailed study on the impact of E25 blending on vehicles currently compliant with E10 and E20.
Fully E20-compliant vehicles are expected to enter the market only after April 2025.
The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) stated that the move will advance the ethanol blending programme and reduce dependence on crude oil imports.